Director of Resident Engagement

The Director of Resident Engagement at The Mather is a vibrant and influential leadership role designed for a visionary professional eager to shape a truly elevated wellness experience. At The Mather—an award‑winning wellness destination and a leading voice in redefining aging in Virginia—this full‑time, salaried position invites a creative, forward‑thinking leader with deep expertise in wellness and experiential programming. Most notably,
The Mather has been ranked the #1 senior living community in North America for wellness, earning a Pinnacle Award from the International Council on Active Aging and NuStep, LLC. This prestigious honor recognizes those who set the standard for excellence by creating a culture of wellness that benefits both residents and team members. The Director stewards a broad and sophisticated portfolio encompassing all resident programs and events, wellness and fitness initiatives, lifelong learning, and creative engagement while also guiding residents and families through meaningful transitions across the continuum.

This leader also maintains strong relationships with resident committees and work groups, guiding and collaborating with engagement and wellness team members to uphold the highest standards of community experience. In this highly visible, hands‑on role, the Director sources and cultivates innovative external partnerships—including cultural, academic, and performing arts organizations—to enrich programming and expand possibilities. Working closely with departments such as Fitness, Culinary, and others, this role inspires and develops team members while ensuring The Mather remains at the forefront of engagement and wellness excellence.

To flourish in this role, candidates will bring a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field or five or more years of relevant experience, along with the polished professionalism expected of a luxury‑wellness environment. Exceptional customer service, public‑facing confidence, strong facilitation and supervisory skills, and the agility to quickly learn and leverage tech‑based programs and services are essential. These capabilities ensure that the Director can deliver experiences that are not only operationally sound but emotionally resonant, hospitality‑driven, and aligned with The Mather’s vision of extraordinary aging.

• Leads Resident and Community Center Engagement team: ensures that day‑to‑day delivery of services, programs, communications, amenity spaces, and support align with Mather brand standards within the Life Plan continuum and Community Center.
• Conducts strategic planning to translate Person‑Centric Wellness model, Mather vision and values, and evidence‑based research into nextraordinary programs, services, amenities, and environments in collaboration with Mather leadership and peers.
• Develops, coordinates and promotes strong participation in dynamic programs and events throughout and beyond The Mather. Sustains interactive, elevated, and engaging programs through overseeing vision of engagement for Mather employees and contractors. Ensures commitment to Creative Aging (visual arts, movement, creative writing/storytelling, theater, music, etc.) high impact partnerships (sustained relationships with cultural, academic, and performing arts institutions) and lifelong learning (resident and contractor‑led lectures and workshops).
  
  Ensures program design and facilitation standards are met. Ensures development of programmatic series incorporating cultural partners, diverse themes, and multisensory experiences.
• Interviews, manages, and develops employees: in collaboration with and guidance from Human Resources staff, is responsible for employee performance, learning and development, engagement and satisfaction.
• Approves selection and engagement of independent contractors, interns and volunteers in order to create high quality programming and ensures compliance with Mather policies and legal regulations for engaging and training independent contractors and volunteers.
• Develops budgets and manages expenses for Engagement: including services, wellness, engagement, and support initiatives across the…